Replies

1. 
   Crazy K | Apr 23, 2007 02:35am | #1

   I wanted a coverhem machine also as I do lots of knits for children and needed a sturdier stitch than the double needle.  I did some research on the Janome ones when first out.  After much debating (with myself!) and discussions with dear hubby, I got a Babylock Evolve.  I now have my coverhem......double or triple......narrow or wide and I have a wonderful back-up serger as well.  True, it did cost me more but my Elna serger has had lots of hours of use and we decided that in the event it should ever fail me, I could always use the Babylock as a serger as well.  I absolutley love the threading with the jet-air.  Couldn't be simpler to change from one stitch to another.........

   O.K.....I don't know your budget but if you can do it, that's a good way and it does a beautiful coverhem.  I know, I really didn't answer your question but maybe gave you some food for thought!

   Crazy

1. 
   sewingnut | Apr 23, 2007 07:34pm | #2

   Thank you for your input.  I have a Bernina serger and that is why I wanted a machne that just does the coverstitch.  I really don't want to spend more than $500.00. 

1. 
   Crazy K | Apr 23, 2007 08:27pm | #3

   Gotcha!  I don't blame you either.............sewing has gotten to be an expensive hobby for me (I don't sew for pay.......just for fun!) but its the only hobby I have and I don't spend gobs on myself any other way, soooooo I play!

   I didn't know you could get a coverhem machine for $500.........I've only priced the Janome models and they ran around $900 I believe........maybe the two needle was a bit less.........perhaps I'm thinking of the one cabable of a triple hem....

   Good luck finding what you want.  Just for info.......I'm working on a project for my daughter and have two sergers and two sewing machines set up to do the various parts...........I am doing multiples so changing threads all the time gets to be a real pain in the fanny!  I find it's so much faster to go from one machine to the next that's all set and ready to fly..................I am spoiled..........I admit it.   I sometimes have 10 or 12 of something to make for her so it is so nice to have that flexibility.

   Thanks!

   Crazy

2. 
   Betakin | Apr 23, 2007 10:02pm | #4

   The Bernina 009 has had some good reviews in the past few years by owners. It is said that it is a workhorse that does as it is supposed to do. I was interested in purchasing this cover hem only machine when I was in the market for one but the price was $800. This machine also does not do the triple seam coverhem which I wanted. I ended up purchasing the Elna 744 for the same price as the 009. The 744 has 17 stitches on it stitch program including 3 coverhems and chain stitch. It does a narrow and wide double seam and triple seam coverhem and it is only a 4 thread serger with automatic tensions that never need adjusting. It does not require to change the plate or the foot to convert from serging to cover hem. I found this to be a great serger for me especially when it's price was the same as the Bernina 009 but I have only heard praises for the 009.

3. 
   SewNancy | Apr 26, 2007 08:18pm | #5

   I recently bought a Janome 1000cp coverstitch machine and I paid $399 for it, but I have seen ####wide variety of prices. Go over to Patternreview.com and take a look at the very long thread on the Janome.
   Debbie Cook has a great tutorial on coverstitching on her blog and she has the Babylock which is pricier, but very nice. I put a search on Ebay and a used one sold for $500 right after I gave up and bought the Janome. Here is Debbies blog
   http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/
   BTW I am happy with the Janome, but it takes a bit of fiddling to use the generic attachments that can be easier used on the Babylock.

   Edited 4/26/2007 1:19 pm ET by SewNancy

2. 
   marymary | Apr 27, 2007 04:02am | #6

   I have the Bernina 009 coverstitch machine.  It is probably the most disappointing machine I have.  It is very temperamental about switching from cover to chain and back again.  So much so, that I don't use it for a chain stitch.  I have an old Singer for that now.  About a month after I bought my machine, it refused to make a good coverstitch, so I took it back to the dealer.  It was too late to return it, or I would have.  He insisted that it was the thread I was using until he used his thread and it did the same thing.  He did finally make it work, but every time I use it, I have to adjust to get it to respond to whatever I am sewing on.

   Shortly after I bought mine, I heard (don't remember where) that Bernina was discontinuing it.  It does not show up on the Bernina USA web site.

   I wish I had waited and bought one with a free arm.  Hemming a sleeve can be a trial.

   Any industrial machine is going to work better in a business environment than a home machine.